2007 Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

January 26, 2007 deadline                                                                                                
Community invited to nominate candidates for Teacher of the Year in Spring Lake Park School District 16

Spring Lake Park Teachers United has announced a new process for nominating a “Teacher of the Year” in Spring Lake Park School District 16.  Community members will now have the opportunity to nominate candidates.

The Spring Lake Park Schools Teacher of the Year program selects a teacher of excellence who inspires other educators, students, and community members. Maria Ahrndt, faculty member and selection committee chair, emphasized that the committee is not trying to pick the best teacher.  “Because the school district has so many excellent teachers,” she said, ‘we are seeking to select and honor a teacher who represents all the best teachers in our district.”

Eligible teachers must teach pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, hold a baccalaureate degree, and have a Minnesota teaching license.  They must have taught at least three years (including the current year), intend to teach for two more years, and intend to teach in School District 16 next year.  In addition to classroom teachers, nominees can be counselors or Special Education case managers.  All nominees will be verified to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements.

“In the past, staff members have nominated Teacher of the Year candidates,” said Ahrndt, “but we are excited to open the nomination process to the entire community this year.” To nominate a candidate, staff, students, parents, or community members must submit a short statement explaining the reasons this teacher deserves to be the Spring Lake Park Schools Teacher of the Year.  Statements should be 100 words or less.  Nominations also must include the name, address, and phone number of the person submitting the nomination.

Nominations can be sent by mail to Maria Ahrndt, Teacher of the Year Program, Spring Lake Park High School, 8001 Able Street NE, Spring Lake Park MN 55432.  Nominations can also be sent by e-mail to mahrnd@district16.org.  In addition, you can click here for a nomination form, or to www.springlakeparkschools.org under “District News” or at any of the schools’ home pages.  All nominations must be received no later than January 26 to be considered.  The 2007 Teacher of the Year will be announced in the spring.

Last year’s winner, William G. “Bill” Neiss, was the first Spring Lake Park Schools Teacher of the Year.  Neiss has 19 years of teaching experience, teaches many medical courses, and is advisor to the state and world-champion Opportunities in Emergency Care Program.  His message to other educators was: “Teachers should embrace the idea of being a role model.”

2007 Teacher of the Year Nomination Form